News

Cheney Lake is now up over a foot since the beginning of May thanks to the abundance of rain. According to the latest data from the National Water Prediction Service, that lake is at 1,414.85 feet as of 7 a.m. Thursday. At the beginning of the month, the lake was at 1413.7 feet. The lake is measuring at 6.75 feet below normal. The City of Wichita remains in Stage 2 of its drought plan. The conservation pool is just around 62.75%. The next drought trigger is when the conservation pool drops to 50% of its capacity. Source: KSN-TV

It’s been ten days since a tornado tore through the town of Plevna in Reno County. The EF-3 storm left a path of destruction, but the damage does not meet the threshold required for state or federal disaster aid. According to Adam Weishaar, director of Reno County Emergency Management, nine homes were destroyed and about 20 others sustained damage on May 18. Roughly half of the affected homes were uninsured. Despite the devastation, the extent of the damage still falls short of qualifying for assistance. Source: KSN-TV

The City of Emporia is topping off its new state-of-the-art fire station. The final beam was installed on Wednesday for the new Emporia fire station. Work on this facility has been ongoing for several years, and is a huge upgrade for the city's fire department. The Emporia Fire Department worked out of the Civic Auditorium basement for the past 85 years. A city commissioner said the long-awaited upgrade will benefit fire crews and Emporia locals alike. Source: KSNT 27 News

Bikers from around the world are gathering in Emporia for this year's annual Unbound Gravel race. The Unbound Gravel race officially kicks off on Thursday, May 29 and lasts through to Sunday, June 1. Around 5,000 riders are expected to participate in the various races offered through Unbound, including the 350-mile race. Source: KSNT 27 News

State transportation officials say an upcoming railroad crossing repair project in Wamego will result in traffic disruptions at the local level and a big detour for some. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced on KanDrive that work crews are getting ready to start the repair project at 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 31 and wrap it up by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3. Workers will be repairing a railroad crossing that sits between U.S. Highway 40 and the Wabaunsee/Pottawatomie County line. Source: KSNT 27 News

Iola City Council members will decide soon whether to establish a land bank to allow the city to take in properties for future development projects. City Administrator Matt Rehder told City Council members Monday he plans on bringing a formal proposal to their June 9 meeting. A land bank is a community-owned entity established to acquire, manage, and repurpose vacant, abandoned, or foreclosed properties. In essence, the land bank would serve as a means to take neglected land and put it back into productive use within the City of Iola. Source: The Iola Register

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer's credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.

Drivers in part of central Kansas will have to deal with a lengthy detour route this summer for a highway project that is set to last for months. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) released its plans to shut down part of K-177 Highway on KanDrive earlier this month. The closure runs from Council Grove south to Strong City in Morris and Chase Counties. KDOT workers will close K-177 between these two cities starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 16, according to KanDrive. The closure is projected to end on Friday, Nov. 14. Source: KSN-TV

In the wake of the destruction, donations of all kinds, from food and water to clothes, have flooded into Grinnell after an EF-3 tornado passed through the town. While residents are grateful, physical donations are not always the best way to help. The Hometown Grocery Store has not been a grocery store since the tornado; it has been converted into a makeshift clothing bank. The generosity of people donating clothes, food and water has been overwhelming in both good and bad senses of the word. Source: KSN-TV